ERIC Number: EJ1051763
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-1546
EISSN: N/A
Aiming Low: Estimating the Scope and Predictors of Postsecondary Undermatch
Belasco, Andrew S.; Trivette, Michael J.
Journal of Higher Education, v86 n2 p233-263 Mar-Apr 2015
Postsecondary undermatch occurs when students fail to enroll at a college or university that possesses a level of selectivity their academic credentials would permit them to attend. Given the demonstrated link between selective college attendance and postsecondary and professional attainment, recent studies have attempted to examine which factors may prevent students from enrolling at appropriately competitive institutions. Using data provided by NCES's Educational Longitudinal Survey (ELS:2002/2006), this study aims to quantitatively assess whether results yielded from these studies generalize to a national level, and whether other contextual variables play a significant role. Descriptive results show that postsecondary undermatch is indeed a pervasive phenomenon, but not as widespread as previous studies have claimed; while multilevel analysis suggests that background, environment, and college-related attitudes have significant influence on the likelihood of undermatch.
Descriptors: College Bound Students, Admission Criteria, Selective Admission, Higher Education, Longitudinal Studies, Predictor Variables, Student Attitudes, College Choice, Theory Practice Relationship, Evidence, Student Characteristics, Institutional Characteristics, Socioeconomic Status
Ohio State University Press. 180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1002. Tel: 614-292-1407; Fax: 614-292-2065; Web site: http://www.ohiostatepress.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education; High Schools; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A